How to pitch to SBS Food with Sudeshna Ghosh | Ep 109
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, I’m joined by Sudeshna Ghosh, cross-platform content wizard and current Managing Editor at SBS Food. With a career spanning TV, print, magazines and digital across India, Dubai and Australia, Sudeshna brings a global sensibility to local storytelling — and a deep appreciation for the way food connects us across cultures. At SBS Food, Sudeshna leads the online and social ecosystem, where recipes, editorial, and digital content come together to celebrate Australia’s rich multicultural identity. From commissioning features and developing social video, to championing...
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How to pitch to Two Doting Dads with Jessica Smalley | Ep 108
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Smalley — producer, storyteller and comedic strategist behind , a weekly parenting podcast hosted by Matty J and Ash that’s reshaping the way men talk about fatherhood. After producing business deep-dives for Mark Bouris, Jess pivoted to the parenting aisle — bringing her systems brain, strategic storytelling and creative intuition to a show that’s part chaos, part catharsis, and entirely relatable. With a growing audience of mostly 29–35 year old women (and their partners), Two Doting Dads offers the kind of parenting convos you’d usually...
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How to pitch to 9Honey with Jo Abi | Ep 107
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, I’m joined by Jo Abi, senior writer at 9Honey and one of the most refreshingly honest and compassionate voices in Australian media. With a background in radio, over a decade in digital journalism, and a side-hustle writing from the trenches of parenting three neurodivergent kids, Jo has a deep understanding of what makes a story resonate. At 9Honey, Jo writes across consumer, lifestyle, and real-life content — often drawing on her own lived experience and relentless curiosity (yes, she once wrote a whole article sparked by chickpeas on sale at Woolies). She’s known...
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How to DIY PR headlines with AFR, The Australian, ABC and Mamamia with Melissa Reader | Ep 106
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR, we’re joined by Melissa Reader, CEO of Violet, whose journey from profound personal loss to leading social change is nothing short of inspiring. Through Violet, Melissa is helping us all navigate life’s final chapters with grace, humanity, and proactive planning. Over the past year, Melissa’s voice has been everywhere, from AFR, The Australian and ABC to SmartCompany, Mamamia, and Women’s Agenda. Her work is not just about practical end-of-life planning but about igniting broader social conversations on ageing, living well, and preparing...
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Pitching industry stories to SMH and The Age with Calum Jaspan | Ep 105
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR, host Odette Barry sits down with Calum Jaspan, media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, to explore the evolving media landscape, journalism's challenges, and the art of pitching stories that stand out. Calum shares his career journey from Mumbrella to his current role, offering insights into the Australian media industry and what it takes to navigate a dynamic newsroom. He reflects on his experiences covering everything from the ABC and News Corp to emerging trends in podcasting and the influence of public broadcasters like the...
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Pitching Big Ideas to Big Stages: Mia Fileman on the Ripple Festival | Ep 104
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR, Odette Barry sits down with the unstoppable Mia Fileman, founder of Campaign Del Mar and one half of the brains behind Ripple Festival. Mia shares her journey of building a two-day event that fuses creativity, small business, and purpose, offering a insights on how to navigate the public speaking circuit with intention, and as a true advocate of the events that you’re keen to speak at. We dive into: The inspiration behind Ripple Festival and why Mia and co-founder Fiona Johnston decided to build a festival from scratch. How Mia balances...
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BTS of ABC Conversations and the podcast landscape with Kellie Riordan | Ep 102
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode of Hack Your Own PR Odette Barry is joined by one of Australia’s most influential voices in podcasting: Kellie Riordan, founder of Deadset Studios and the original producer of my beloved and all time fave podcast, ABC Conversations. Kellie has been a pioneer in the Australian media landscape, with a career spanning radio, digital news, and podcast production. She helped launch the now-iconic ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler back in 2005, long before podcasting became mainstream. As an early adopter of the medium, Kellie played a key role in shaping...
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How to pitch to Abbie Chatfield’s It’s A Lot with Lem Zakharia | Ep 103
Hack Your Own PR
In this episode, Odette Barry is joined by Lem Zakharia, a powerhouse in the Australian media industry with an eclectic career spanning radio, music, and podcasting. Currently the executive producer of It’s A Lot with Abbie Chatfield, Lem has been instrumental in transforming the podcast from a casual, couch-recorded project to a top-ranking hit in its sixth season. With a core audience of women aged 19–35 and strong ties to the LGBTQ+ community, the podcast covers everything from reality TV to politics and current affairs. Lem shares how she strikes the perfect balance...
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How to pitch to Instyle with Justine Cullen | Ep 101
Hack Your Own PR
Welcome to the Hack Your Own PR with Odette Barry. In this episode we are joined by Justine Cullen, Editor-in-Chief of InStyle Australia. With over 30 years in the magazine industry, Justine has built a stellar career, starting at teen magazines and rising to lead iconic titles like ELLE and InStyle. In this episode, Justine shares her insider knowledge on: The evolving media landscape and the role of magazine covers in driving meaningful conversations. How to pitch successfully to InStyle and other top publications, including tips on building relationships, embracing...
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The power of purpose-driven storytelling with Marie Claire’s Editor, Georgie Abay | Ep 100
Hack Your Own PR
Georgie Abay is just about one of the most intelligent, hard working, kind and humble editors you’ll find at the helm of a glossy mag - and she’s back for interview number 2 on Hack Your Own PR - after her first interview several years ago, in her role as the editor and founder of Grace Tales. In September last year, Georgie took on the prestigious role leading the vision and team as editor of Marie Claire. As you’ll hear in this episode, she’s keen to use her platform to campaign for better outcomes around gendered violence, neuro inclusivity and inspire the next generation of...
info_outlineIn this episode, I’m joined by Jo Abi, senior writer at 9Honey and one of the most refreshingly honest and compassionate voices in Australian media. With a background in radio, over a decade in digital journalism, and a side-hustle writing from the trenches of parenting three neurodivergent kids, Jo has a deep understanding of what makes a story resonate.
At 9Honey, Jo writes across consumer, lifestyle, and real-life content — often drawing on her own lived experience and relentless curiosity (yes, she once wrote a whole article sparked by chickpeas on sale at Woolies). She’s known for championing everyday Australians, turning PR pitches into powerful stories, and always keeping it real with her readers.
On Hack Your Own PR, we explore the art and science of media relations, publicity, and storytelling to help you DIY your PR, amplify your voice and share your message.
In this episode, Jo gives us an inside look at:
- Her journey from radio to mummy blogging to national newsroom.
- The unique content pillars at 9Honey — think relatability, reliability, entertainment and consumer insight.
- How she structures her 6am–2pm workday and juggles motherhood, deadlines, and ADHD with humour and grace.
- What she really wants in a PR pitch (including how many follow-ups are too few!).
- The value of storytelling with purpose, especially when it comes to vulnerable or advocacy-led case studies.
Key Takeaways:
- Tailor your subject line and hook it with heart. Think about Jo’s beats — parenting, personal struggle, quirky consumer finds — and write to them directly.
- Follow up more than once (four times is Jo’s magic number).
- Include 8–10 relatable, non-staged images with every pitch. Social-media style over polished studio shots.
- Don't send just a PDF. Include the press release in the body of the email and make it easy to access.
What to Avoid:
- One-size-fits-all pitches. If you’re not sure what Jo writes, read her work first — and make your pitch personal.
- Failing to prepare case studies. Make sure talent is ready for the emotional weight of media attention, and never promise full editorial control.
- Holding back key details. If the story’s about adversity or illness, Jo wants the full arc: the before, during and after — and the visuals to match.
- Calling 30 minutes after sending your pitch. Be patient, and follow up on a better day.
This episode is a goldmine for anyone pitching human-led stories to lifestyle media — and a reminder that compassion and curiosity are your greatest PR tools.
Find Odette Barry online:
https://www.odetteandco.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/odetteandco/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/odette-barry/
Find Jo Abi online